Pupils are suspended after fights near school

Fourteen pupils have been suspended from a Black Country school following a series of fights that left a 15-year-old boy badly injured in hospital.

The boy has had plates inserted into his jaw after being attacked by a gang of Asian youths in a car as he walked home from Alexandra High School in Tipton despite having nothing to do with previous incidents.

That incident on Wednesday came a day after a row between two pupils led to the police being called to the school.

This was followed by a series of fights between Asian pupils and a group of white youths, who did not go to the school, in Upper Church Lane.

Since then Sandwell Council's wardens have been patrolling and the police keeping watch.

Last night hundreds of concerned parents packed into the hall of the Alexandra Road school after being invited to a meeting.

Many called for headteacher Ian Binnie to ban pupils leaving the school at lunchtime while others said they would be keeping their children home until the disputes had died down.

Mr Binnie said a small number of pupils were involved in the fights but dozens gathered to watch.

A police spokesman said officers were working with the school to resolve issues.